High Voltage High Current Power Supply


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A while ago I came up with the idea of using a microwave transformer as a high voltage, high current power supply. Even though I had no use for such a supply, I decided to design one anyway. This is a very simple design mainly to show that there are uncommon uses for common parts. Note: I have not built this supply because I have no use for it. Really it is nothing more then a transformer, rectifier and filter. If you build this supply without knowledge in electronics or high voltage, you have basically signed your own death certificate. This supply can be very dangerous if not treated properly. DO NOT BUILD THIS SUPPLY UNLESS YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE DOING! I assume no responsibility for any damages or injuries caused by this supply.

Schematic

This is the schematic of the High Voltage High Current Power Supply

Parts

Part
Total Qty.
Description
Substitutions
C110.68uF 2200V Capacitor
T112KV Microwave Transformer
S1110 Amp 120VAC Switch
C412000uf Electrolytic Capacitor
MISC1Wire, Line Cord, Output Terminals

Notes

  1. This circuit is dangerous! Do not build it if you do not have any experience with electronics or high voltage.
  2. The circuit can produce about 250-500mA at 2KV, depending on the transformer.
  3. For C1, you can use the capacitor out of an old microwave.
  4. This circuit is mainly provided as a demonstration of using commonly available parts for something uncommon.

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Comments

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Franklin Newhart
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Friday, June 26, 2015 2:14:06 AM
For those of you wondering if this can be used for a Jacobs ladder. No it can't. Not quite enough voltage but the amps are ok. But you can make a Jacobs Ladder using two transformers. Join the two transformers together via the grounded wire. This makes the centre tap that you won't be using. You now have twice the voltage across the two free wires. Rectify that with great big diodes. You can collect them from the same microwaves that you got the transformers from. Use both the AC filter caps before rectification and attach the two wires to the Jacob's Ladder after rectification. And Don't Kill yourself because now you have 4400 volts at about a half an amp and it will kill you. Makes your hair stand up too.
David
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Sunday, January 19, 2014 5:27:05 PM
This is utterly dangerous in the in-experienced hands! A microwave transformer is not built like a 'normal transformer'. One end of the high voltage winding IS connected to it's metal core - I will repeat...! One end of the high voltage winding on a microwave transformer is connected to the metal core.... and this is 2000V at some 500mA (0.5A) or so...! For goodness should you need a high voltage supply do us a proper isolated one transformer! FYI: A microwave cooker uses a upside down half wave rectification meaning; the positive side is grounded whilst the negative output goes to the magnetrons heater cathode. DON'T MESS ABOUT WITH THESE FOR THE VERY REASON GIVEN. The regulation for a power supply would be very poor because unlike a normal transformer that uses 'E' and 'I' lamentation's in an alternative arrangement a microwave transformer doesn't, you have the 'E' lamination as one stack and the 'I' lamination's at the end, creating an 'airgap' - thats why they buzz when running.
anonymous
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Wednesday, April 04, 2012 10:51:23 PM
what would you think if people/kids got killed playing around with this? would your disclaimer make you feel any better?

(Editor's notes: Chlorine for the gene pool.)

Jim
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Thursday, November 10, 2011 10:30:10 PM
To TYKO You would need to get a transformer about the size of a pickup truck, some non-existent diode bridge and a power substation to supply the input. All connecting wires would need to be solid copper bus bars approximately 2" x 2". I think maybe you meant 5-8 amps and not 5000 to 8000 amps. If so, the microwave transformer is not sufficient but diode bridges do exist in this amperage. Number 6 wire would be sufficient for intermittent duty but no. 4 would be better especially if more than a few inches long.
DigitalAmigo69
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Thursday, August 25, 2011 3:04:27 PM
"Its good one. But iwas looking for a circuit 0 to 500VDC variable voltage and 0 to 1000MA variable current circuit. Can you help me in this circuit. Thankyou." (Robinson) SEPIC or BOOST topology switching DC-DC converters might be interesting for you... http://roboforum.ru/download/file.php?id=4576&mode=view http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEPIC http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC-to-DC_converter http://www.nomad.ee/micros/mc34063a/ Trough, you still have to find or design a circuit, that meets your requirements... But I hope you cached some ideas, that might help :) One more thing - some circuits need to add some elements in order to get 0..nn V. With out negative grounds, you might have 1,2..nn V (depending on the IC's used...) Another simple idea - use auto transformer with the same simple circuit - rectifliers+capacitor banks added (some LC filter also wouldn't hurt) (^',^)
anonymous
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Friday, April 22, 2011 10:28:51 PM
you can get a lot of power using a marx or cockcroft_walton with the marx its best to use inductors or solenoids and avalanche or a gas discharge tube the cw is good as is but i have gotten better peak power by putting a cap form output to input
anonymous
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Thursday, January 20, 2011 6:31:20 PM
I cannot find the transformer needed in the circuit anywhere I look. Could somebody help me? Please?
anonymous
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 12:22:11 PM
How can this circuit be modified so it can give high voltage, but low current, something like 400 ľA to 1mA, like that who are used at the electric fences so the animals don't escape?

(Editor's notes: Don't.)

anonymous
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 8:17:19 AM
Can a resistor be placed at the plus output to regulate the current down to some microamps or nanoamps?
anonymous
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Friday, December 11, 2009 1:32:18 AM
i am designing a 3 phase input 4kV/1A dc output power supply what should the rating of my diodes, capacitors and bleeder resistors be?
Jacob
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Tuesday, August 04, 2009 12:41:59 PM
can i use this circuit on a jacobs ladder
anonymous
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Friday, May 08, 2009 7:36:45 AM
i am a student and power electronices is my fevarite subject( I am looking my carrier in this field ) I designed a 1.5kV, 20WDC power supply from 25 V input as a project. Now I want to learn the different techniques for generating high voltage ( 100kV to 200kV) DC power supply and about the high voltage ferrite core and transformer design. hope you can give me the idea about the circuit thanks.
Robinson
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Saturday, March 28, 2009 12:00:56 AM
Its good one. But iwas looking for a circuit 0 to 500VDC variable voltage and 0 to 1000MA variable current circuit. Can you help me in this circuit. Thankyou.
TYKO
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Tuesday, March 03, 2009 2:58:38 PM
I need the same power supply, but the purpose of it is to be able to deliver between 5000 and 8000 Amps. How would you modify the circuit?
anonymous
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 9:53:21 AM
k i must say ur website is kinda kwl. im a first time user and im definetaly impressed.
Ahmed
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Sunday, January 04, 2009 11:48:20 PM
hi i am tecnician of electronics but i need to in crease my cerent of my electriciy when i have 250voltage then i went to saply what i can do thanks if can give me any idea for htat
amalin
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Thursday, September 18, 2008 12:24:23 AM
i need to design and construction high voltage DC power supply just like above figure but i don't have any idea to design the circuit. i need to design the circuit that flow 220V and transform 15kV after undergo the transformer. hope you can give me the idea to design this circuit. thanks.
Cribcat
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Sunday, June 15, 2008 12:05:01 AM
Been using them for years, and yes they will bite you hard. They can be rewound for everyday voltages.
Bit Silly
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Saturday, May 31, 2008 7:49:00 AM
Ive made a HV power supply with a 440ac 60uf Capacitor on the main primary of the transformer: Cap 440vac 60uf Mains(240vac)----------|----------Primary Of Microwave Transformer Mains(240vac)----------|----------Primary Of Microwave Transformer !!!WARNING!!!! VERY DANGEROUS!!! WORKING AT HIGH VOLTAGE AND HIGH AMPERAGE!!! BE CAREFUL OF THE TRANSFORMER IT GETS HOT!!! AND ONLY RUN FOR A SHOT AMOUNT OF TIME!!! You get some pretty amazing sparks, and watch out for x-rays, this operates at a extremely high frequency, i haven't check what frequency it is operating at but i guess close to resonace or maybe even resonance because of the amazing arcs
Xray Man
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Friday, May 02, 2008 9:23:12 PM
No, Jimmy... a capacitor from a microwave will not explode if you use it in a DC circuit! Where in the world did you ever get that information from? The only warning that I would give about microwave capacitors is that SOME of them have an internal DIODE manufactured into the same housing as the capacitor. That will usually be shown on the schematic diagram, or noted on the capacitor housing. In that case, you should NOT use that type of capacitor for this circuit.
Moti Mazor
High Voltage Power Supply
Monday, March 10, 2008 4:20:42 AM
Hi I am interesting about HVPS ( 15KV ) for Military aircraft . Please let me know if you are interesting to manufacture this product. Please contact with me Thanks Moti
Jimmy
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 12:34:14 PM
CAUTION....CAPS TAKEN FROM A MICROWAVE ARE RATED FOR AC VOLTAGE ONLY...IF YOU INSTALL IT IN A DC CIRCUIT IT WILL EXPLODE..
anonymous A.yusoff
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Sunday, January 13, 2008 10:02:28 PM
Yes very intresting project. refer to above schematic dig. the input supply 120vac, 15amp. so the output is 2000V, what is putput amp?. I do a small project i.e. follow sch. dig. but the input is 12vac, 6amp i.e it will be the output 200vac, 100amp. look at the ratio is 16.67 times. pls correct me if iam wrong. pls let me know how produce 12vac,6amp out will be 220-240vac,100amp. Tks.
Ted Croft
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Monday, December 03, 2007 3:02:25 AM
I need a power supply of some sorts to charge a 2000vdc capacitor. Can you help me out?
Jeff Hutchison
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Saturday, November 17, 2007 5:31:33 PM
Hi i need a power supply that is 120volt ac to 600volt dc hi current is helpful thank you
vijetha
voltage to current converters
Wednesday, November 07, 2007 7:03:53 AM
i want a circuit which can convert -10v to +10v to -100mA to +100ma please mail me the details
M.Thamizh amuthan B.E.,
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Sunday, November 04, 2007 6:55:58 AM
such a wonderfull,Interesting and usefull website for electrical and electronics engineers.Also this website should give many new information on High voltage and remotecontrol circuits.HATSOFF to this site.
hameet singh and hemant kamur
lun baba da
Monday, October 22, 2007 2:08:53 AM
You will need a fuse at switch 1. Make sure you're bridge rectifier (BR1) is rated double the expected voltage (2000V x 1.4=2800V) 6000V would be a good choice. Circuits such as this are used daily by ham radio operaters.Bridge rectifier would have to withstand 2.8KV (peak reverse voltage)! Not easy to find & expensive ...Where is C4 ? What does it do? As an electronics engineer I must caution everyone,don't play with high voltage until you know how to deal with low voltage & then GRADUALLY ! move up to higher stuff. IT WILL KILL !!! Where do you ned C4? Your design of High Voltage High Current Power Supply is really a solution to todays problems
Miles
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Thursday, August 09, 2007 1:56:19 AM
You will need a fuse at switch 1. Make sure you're bridge rectifier (BR1) is rated double the expected voltage (2000V x 1.4=2800V) 6000V would be a good choice. Circuits such as this are used daily by ham radio operaters.
anonymous
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Tuesday, August 07, 2007 10:49:29 AM
Bridge rectifier would have to withstand 2.8KV (peak reverse voltage)! Not easy to find & expensive ...Where is C4 ? What does it do? As an electronics engineer I must caution everyone,don't play with high voltage until you know how to deal with low voltage & then GRADUALLY ! move up to higher stuff. IT WILL KILL !!!
Flayron
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Friday, August 03, 2007 6:49:08 PM
Where do you ned C4?
Ogbaji
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Monday, July 16, 2007 7:52:16 PM
Your design of High Voltage High Current Power Supply is really a solution to todays problems

(Editor's notes: Not really, no. It's more of a demonstration of a design exercise. Really it has no use...)

ENG_ASHRAF
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Saturday, June 16, 2007 11:22:49 PM
THANKSSSSSSSSSSSSS
anonymous
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Thursday, May 24, 2007 11:40:39 AM
hey whats good this website rocks
latino
High Voltage High Current Power Supply
Wednesday, April 11, 2007 6:07:28 PM
That is a good circuit, but the riple it's a true trouble, the capacitor must be so big.
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